NYC Held Largest US Anti-War Protest (ABC News)

NEW YORK CITY PROTESTS
NYC HELD LARGEST US ANTI-WAR PROTEST
TERRY MORAN, ABC NEWS

(OC) In this country, there were anti-war protests in 150 cities today. In New York, tens of thousands of people filled more than 20 blocks near the United Nations. ABC’s John McKenzie reports on today’s biggest US war protest.

JOHN MCKENZIE, ABC NEWS

(VO) They began arriving from all directions, crowding the sidewalks and then, on to the streets of midtown Manhattan. Many came in groups. New York City Labor against the war. The Buddhist contingent. A National Lawyers delegation. George Walters is a teacher.

GEORGE WALTERS, TEACHER, ANTI-WAR PROTESTER

I am ashamed. I’m horrified and ashamed. I’m 60-some-odd years old. I have never in my entire life been so outraged at a government.

JOHN MCKENZIE

(VO) Gina, is a pediatrician.

GINA, PEDIATRICIAN, ANTI-WAR PROTESTER

There’s thousands of people here and all over the country who are saying, no, we don’t want this war. And we don’t want this war in our name. And as a democratic nation, they have to listen to our voices.

JOHN MCKENZIE

(VO) Kate, is worried about retaliation after an attack on Iraq.

KATE, ANTI-WAR PROTESTER

And man, I’m only ten blocks from the World Trade Center. So, I already saw the first response and there’s going to be more.

JOHN MCKENZIE

(VO) Eventually, the protesters came together just a few blocks from the United Nations, filling the streets for miles. Many wanted to keep walking, past the UN. But a judge agreed with police, who said it posed a security risk.

JOHN MCKENZIE (CONTINUED)

(OC) With the country moving closer to war, with more than 170,000 American troops already deployed in the Persian Gulf, there are many here today who speak with a sense of urgency and frustration.

FEMALE ONE, ANTI-WAR PROTESTER

This is the first time I have participated in any rally. This is patriotism. And the underpinnings of a democracy are people being able to voice their opinions. And that’s why we’re here.

ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU, RELIGIOUS LEADER

What do you say to war?

ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU (CONTINUED)

What do you say to death and destruction?

ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU (CONTINUED)

What do you say to peace?

JOHN MCKENZIE

(VO) So many voices, filling the streets, struggling to be heard. John McKenzie, ABC News, New York.